Trolley-track.



No. 657,132. Patented Sept. 4, I900.

T. C. PROUTY.

TROLLEY TRACK.

(Application flled- June 5. 1900.)

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NrrD STATES PATENT OFFI E.

THEODORE O. PROUTY, OF MIDLAND, MICHIGAN.

TROLL'EY-TRACK.

s'rncnricncrion forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,132 dated. September 4, 1906.

I Application filed June 5, 1900. 'Serial No. 19,183. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE C. PROUTY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Midland, in the county of Midland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trolley- Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is the production of improved trolley-tracks; and it consists of certain new and useful features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a trolley-track embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing the shapes into which the contiguous ends of track-sections are out before they are formed into tracks and connected together. Fig. 4 is a section at the line 4 1 in Fig. 1 of parts there shown. Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing a dowel and its mode of connection with a section of the trolley-track. Fig. 6 is a section at the line 6 6 in Fig. 1 of a part there shown. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the outerend of a trolley-track section and its supporting-rail, showing the manner in which the former is adj ustably suspended from the latter.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A B are sections of the trolley-track formed of flat sheets of metal, Fig. 3, having their contiguous ends cut on a bias A A having integral clips A B punched thereout on three sides, and the section 13 also having a hood B' (unfashioned in Fig. 3) projecting therefrom. The prepared blanks, Fig. 3, are next bent into U shapein cross-section. The braceribs A are then expanded thereinto out of the metal composing the same, and the edges of their parallel sides A B thereafter are bent inward, upward, and outward to form the elevated wheelways or ledges A B serving as tracks for carrier-wheels. The blank 13*, Fig. 3, is formed into a connecting-hood 13', Figs. 1 and 2.

0 represents dowels corresponding in crosssection with theinteriors O of the elevated wheelways A B. The dowels O are permanently secured into one section, either A or B, of the track by means of a clip A or 13 D is a carrier, of any desired form and construction, provided with wheels D, each having but a single flange D on adjacent faces of the same.

E is a track-supporting rail having any desired number of countersinks E therein.

F is a nut set into a countersink E.

G is a suspension-plate having a counter sink G therein, with a screw-hole G therethrough, and secured to the top of the tracksectious by means of rivets G H is an adj usting-screw passed through the suspension-plate G and turned into the nut F.

I, Fig. 7, is a metal socket countersunk into the supporting-rail E and having a screw 1 passed through a slot 1 therein, through a hole I in the track-section B, and through the nuts I 1 The instrumentalities shown in Fig. 7 are employed only to secure the outer ends of the trolley-track to its supporting-rail E. Supposing the outer end of the first section of the track, as B, Fig. 7, to be secured in the manner there shown to its supporting-rail E, one end of the top of the next section A is then passed under the retaining-hood B thereon, and an adj listing-screw H is passed through its suspension-plate G into the nut F. The free end of section A is provided with a connecting-hood (not shown) in all respects like B of section B. Obviously trolley tracks composed of such sections can be constructed of any desired length. The various sections composing the complete trolley-track may be adjusted to perfect alinement by means of the adjusting-screw H, each of which serves to adjust one section.

I am aware that trolley-tracks having parallel trough-like ways for carrier-wheels having their edges rounded to correspond therewith have been employed heretofore. Such trough-like tracks eventually become receptacles for dust and dirt, which have no means of escape therefrom and therefore cause constantly increasing friction between themselves and the carrier-wheels running therein. The employment of the elevated wheelways A", hereinbefore shown and described, completely obviates the difficulties mentioned. above.

The sections composing hollow trolleytraoks heretofore and now in use have had their ends cut at right angles thereto instead of having the same cut obliquely, as the sections composing my track are cut. In a track composed of sections of the first-mentioned description both carrier-wheels of each pair.

leave one section and enter the adjacent section simultaneously, the end of the first sec terially stiffen them, thereby preventing the sides of the same from being spread by the weight borne by the carriers or from being bent together in shipment or otherwise.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A trolley-track consisting essentially of two parallel sides having their lower edges bent inward, upward and outward, to 'form upwardly-projecting ledges to serve as tracks for carrier-Wheels.

2. A trolley-track, of inverted-U shape in cross-section, having its edges bent inward, upward and outward, to form elevated wheelways, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. A joint, consisting of sections of a trolley-track U-shaped in cross-section and having their contiguous edges in place there-.

of on a bias, so that the points of connection between the two wheelways of said track shall lie obliquely to each other, substantially as' and for the purpose specified.

4'. A joint for a double-way trolley-track consisting of two sections, one having a hood overlapping the top and sides of the other section, whereby the connecting end of the hooded portion is supported by said hood resting on the contiguous section without employing separate means of support.

5. Atrack-joint consisting of two sections, each section formed with parallel ledges, dowels identical in cross-section with the interiors of said ledges and of such dimensions as to telescopethereinto, said dowels being secured into the ledges, in one section of the track, so as to project therefrom into, and form a support and guide for, the abutting ledges of the next member thereof, substantially as described.

6. A double-track joint consisting of two sections each having the edge of one track thereon cut bias with the other track thereon, one of said sections having a hooded portion formed on its top and sides and projecting over said joint and embracing its connecting member, thus forming a guide and support for its hooded section, dowels corresponding in cross-section to the ledges on the track and telescoping the same, said dowels being permanently secured in and extending from the abutting end of one section of track into the adjacent end of a contiguous member thereof, said staggered joint, projecting hood, and dowel connections constituting a complete joint, substantially as described.

7. A trolley-track, of inverted-U shape in cross-section, having ribs expanded out of the material composing such track, said ribs being integral with the body of the track and serving as braces to maintain the sides thereof parallel to each other, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE O. PROUTY.

Witnesses:

GEO. I. BLOWERS, IDA H. TODD. 

